Wisconsin Badgers vs Penn State Nittany Lions Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Thursday January 22 2026
Use Code WWWC The Wisconsin Badgers, boasting a 13-5 overall record and standing at 5-2 in the Big Ten, are on the road this week as they head to University Park, Pennsylvania. There, they’ll take on the Penn State Nittany Lions, who are currently 9-9 overall and still searching for their first win in conference play, holding a 0-7 record in the Big Ten. Get involved in the action with our free college basketball picks.
Wisconsin vs. Penn State Game Information
- January 22, 2026
- 7:00pm EST
- Bryce Jordan Center
- FS1
Penn State Form & Recent Results
Penn State enters Thursday night’s game desperately searching for a turnaround, riding a tough five-game losing streak. Their most recent struggle came on Sunday at College Park, where the Nittany Lions fell to Maryland 96-73. Kayden Mingo was the bright spot for Penn State in that contest, pouring in 19 points and dishing out 5 assists. Dominick Stewart chipped in with 4 rebounds, while the team as a whole was hampered by 7 turnovers.
This season, Mingo has been the focal point of Penn State’s offense, leading the team with an average of 15.2 points per game. Right behind him is Freddie Dilione V, who has been a reliable scorer with a 13.6-point average. Ivan Juric leads the way on the glass with 4.2 rebounds per game, providing some stability in the paint. Mingo has also been instrumental as the team’s top playmaker, averaging 4.5 assists this season. Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, their defense has struggled during this rough patch, with opponents putting up an average of 81.4 points over the last five games. Despite the recent losses, Penn State has found some comfort playing at home, boasting a 7-4 record and scoring an average of 79.3 points per game on their own court. With their next game coming up against Wisconsin at home on Thursday, Penn State is not only eager to snap their current skid but is also still searching for their first Big Ten conference victory of the season. A win would certainly be a much-needed boost for the Nittany Lions as they look to regroup and turn their season around.
Wisconsin Form & Recent Results
Wisconsin heads into this game riding the momentum of a four-game winning streak, having won four out of their last five matchups. Their most recent victory was a high-scoring 96-87 home triumph over Rutgers on Saturday. In that matchup, Nick Boyd had a standout performance, pouring in 32 points and dishing out 9 assists to guide the Badgers to victory. John Blackwell also contributed solidly on the boards, grabbing 5 rebounds. The Badgers were efficient on offense throughout the game, shooting 48% from the field, knocking down 40% of their three-point attempts, and converting an impressive 90% from the free throw line. They also took care of the ball, committing just 9 turnovers, and maintained control for the vast majority of the game, leading for 95% of the time.
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Over the course of this season, Nick Boyd has established himself as Wisconsin's top scoring option, averaging 19.9 points per game. John Blackwell isn’t far behind, posting an average of 18.6 points per game, making him the team's second-leading scorer. The Badgers have also gotten a big boost on the glass from Nolan Winter, who leads the team with an average of 8.7 rebounds per contest. When it comes to facilitating the offense, Nick Boyd again leads the way, averaging 3.7 assists per game. Recently, Wisconsin has been strong on the offensive end, putting up an average of 83.6 points over the last five games. On the road this season, the Badgers are even at 2-2 and have averaged 74.8 points in those away games. Looking ahead, Wisconsin will try to keep their strong season going as they travel to face Penn State on Thursday night, aiming to leave Penn State still searching for their first conference win.
Key Stats
- Wisconsin Badgers this season: 46% field goal percentage, 36.7 rebounds, 15.9 assists, 3.2 blocks, 6.0 steals per game
- Penn State Nittany Lions this season: 47% field goal percentage, 30.4 rebounds, 13.4 assists, 1.4 blocks, 7.5 steals per game
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- WIS -5.5; O/U 159.5
Wisconsin vs. Penn State Picks and Prediction
The Nittany Lions are in the midst of a difficult stretch this season, having lost their last five games. Their struggles in the Big Ten Conference have only added to their woes, as they have yet to secure a single win in seven conference matchups so far. Wisconsin, on the other hand, comes into this game full of confidence, boasting a four-game winning streak and aiming to hand Penn State its eighth Big Ten loss. However, the Badgers know they can’t afford to take Penn State lightly, especially with the Nittany Lions playing in front of their passionate home fans, who will be eager to see their team snap this losing skid. Final Score Prediction, Wisconsin Badgers win and cover the spread, 83-76.
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